The "star-crossed lovers" from District 12 are gone. At least she is; well I am. After the war, Peeta and I came back to 12 and had an argument. In fact, calling it an argument is definitely an understatement.
"I can't stay here, Katniss!" he yelled, his face turning red with anger.
"Why not?"
"Is it not obvious, Katniss? Everything I loved, including you, is here. My parents, my brothers, the bakery, the love of my life are all gone! Why should I stay when all I have is anguish?" he screams.
"You can go then, but don't count me in. Not living here is like watching Prim get reaped; I just can't do it. I would be leaving behind my life, whatever is left of my father, and Gale. And if you really loved me, you would know what was best for me, and that would be staying here." I say.
"Okay," he barks, "I guess this is goodbye then."
"I guess so," I reply, not knowing what else to say.
"Goodbye, Katniss. I guess I'll see you soon," he says, and I can tell by the tone in his voice that he is on the verge of crying, but he doesn't. Instead, he turns around on the ball of his foot and walks out the door, slamming the door behind him, leaving behind a noise so loud that practically all of Panem could hear it.
Peeta always told me that if he had to go back to 12, mourning would always surround him, and it would be like being tortured by the capitol; having the tracker-jacker venom stuck inside his veins, making him the Capitol's evil mutt. Speaking of which, the Capitol has elected a new president, President Undersee. Yes, she is Madge, the one who gave me the infamous Mockingjay pin that caused the revolution. Anyways, I always knew that girl was going to be big.
Back here in 12, I am overjoyed. Just a year and a half ago, Gale and I got married. We had our own ritual ceremony like we always have in 12 and later got married the "Capitol way." We are happily married and I await a baby that is due in just three months. We have been debating on names, but we are pretty sure we will be naming it Primrose if it is a girl, or Liam if it is a boy. I know, I know, I always said I would never have kids, but now that there is nothing to worry about (no games, no Snow, no Peacekeepers), we decided that we should start a family. I remember the day we talked about it; it was just a week after we got married.
"Gale," I whispered.
"Yes, Catnip," he said, looking at me with one of those sexy, seductive tell-me-what-you're-thinking looks.
"Well, would you ever… uh.. want to have kids? Maybe start a family?" He looked at me all funny, "Katniss, I've told you millions of times that I've wanted a little boy or girl by our sides, but its always been you that's objecting." He gave me a smile and pulled me over into his lap. My head rested on his thighs and he bent down, kissing me on the lips. I love the contour of his lips; fitting so perfectly with mine, as if they were made for each other. I felt his dark hair run through my finger tips, and I held his head so his lips would continue to stay pressed against mine. When he pulled back, I felt surprised and looked into his beautiful, gray Seam eyes. And right then and there he said, "I love you."
"I love you too," I said back, and soon enough, I was drifting into a deep sleep. That night I dreamt a dream that I often dream. It was when Gale and I were just hunting partners, nothing else. One night, months after the war had ended, before we were married, he came over for dinner. We ate a plump, rotund Turkey we snared together and Greasy Sae cooked for us as she usually did. It was a while after dinner and Greasy Sae had long left, when Gale was about to leave as well.
"Wait," I muttered.
"What?" Gale said, confused.
"Please.. stay," I mumble, "I can't take the nightmares."
"Okay," he said, "I'm always here for you if you need me, Catnip. Always remember that, okay?" I changed into a nightgown and we snuggled together on my bed. I laid on the left and he on the right. I wrapped my arms around his waist and felt his warmth radiate into me. My hands slowly crept up his body, feeling his muscular chest, soft lips, and finally his soft, chocolate brown hair. Suddenly, his lips touched mine. I was shocked because I had no idea he was still awake, but I didn't let go of him. We lay there, our lips locked for minutes, until we are interrupted by his sleepy voice, "Katniss, I love you. You are the most beautiful girl I have ever laid my eyes on."
"Shhh…" I lull, my speech slurring, as I am tired too. "Don't stay up too late waiting for me to fall asleep because that will be of no use. Anyway, we have a big hunting day tomorrow, we have to get up early." He laughs and does not object, for he his asleep in a matter of minutes.
I remember that night among all the others in my life because that is the night I finally felt hope. I felt as if Gale and I finally had something, that we weren't just hunting partners, but more than that. And ever since the war, I was hoping that our relationship could be healed not by my mother's or Prim's hands, but my own. And that night, I healed the wounds between us.